Recently, as the long wait for an announcement about a new Mercedes deal continued to drive speculation, the world champion promised: "I will have some news for you in Monaco."

Mercedes has now invited members of the media to a "cocktail reception and announcement" on Saturday evening in Monaco.

And Daniel Johnson, the F1 correspondent for the Telegraph, reported that Hamilton's contract news "is planned for this weekend's Monaco grand prix".

"On this occasion Telegraph Sport understands Hamilton was correct and a public statement should be released over the weekend, barring a last-minute change of plan," he added.

In a newly-published interview at Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, meanwhile, Hamilton played down any lingering speculation about a switch to Ferrari.

"My relationship with Mercedes is more than a partnership," he said. "It's almost like a marriage, and then someone offers you another woman.

"You may think about it, but you don't do it.

"When I was with McLaren in 2007, it was the year of the spy scandal, and the impression I got then of Ferrari was not very positive. Of course, I love Italy and the Tifosi, because they are so enthusiastic about racing," added Hamilton.

"Although I don't drive for Ferrari, I have an incredible number of fans in Italy, and they always ask me 'When are you going to Ferrari?'

"But I've been a Mercedes man since I was 13. That's where my heart is and it's hard to imagine going somewhere else, although maybe your career is not complete until you have tried everything," he said.